Imagery in Sport

Tony Morris, PhD, is a professor of sport and exercise psychology at Victoria University in Victoria, Australia. Morris has published widely on imagery in sport and is known as the leading researcher on the topic. He has authored numerous book chapters on imagery in sport and is the author of one of the leading texts on sport and exercise psychology as well as an authoritative reference text on the status of sport psychology around the world. He has held numerous positions with national and international sport psychology associations, including president of the Asian South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology since 1999 and treasurer of the International Society of Sport Psychology since 2001. Michael Spittle, PhD, is a lecturer in motor behavior at the University of Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. His current teaching includes motor learning, motor control, sport and exercise psychology, measurement and evaluation in human movement, and cricket, as well as supervision of several postgraduate students. Spittle has a Physical Education and honors degree from Victoria University, a postgraduate degree in psychology from Deakin University, and a PhD from Victoria University in the area of imagery perspectives and performance of open and closed motor skills. He has participated in and enjoys many sports and activities including cricket, Australian Rules football, soccer, surfing, running and fitness training. Anthony Watt, PhD, is a lecturer in physical education at Victoria University in Victoria, Australia. Under Dr. Morris he completed his PhD work in 2003 in the area of assessment of imagery ability in sport. In addition to his lecturing, he cosupervises doctoral students working in the area of imagery use in sport. Watt has extensive background in physical education and sport, in which imagery has been examined.

Contents Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Understanding Imagery in Sport Chapter 1. Introduction: The Power of Imagination -Power of Imagery -Challenges, Theory, and Research on Imagery Chapter 2. Definitions: What Is Imagery? -Definitions From Cognitive Sport Psychology -Definitions From Sport Psychology -Working Definition of Sport Imagery -Operational Definitions of Imagery Ability and Imagery Use -Conceptualizations From Sport Psychology -Conclusions Chapter 3. Theories: How Does Imagery Work? -Early Theories of Mental Practice -Cognitive Theories of Imagery -Psychological State Explanations -Functional Equivalence and Neurophysiological Explanations -Conclusions Part II: Investigating Imagery in Sport Chapter 4. Imagery-Ability and Imagery-Use Assessment -Components of Imagery Ability -Classification of Imagery-Ability and Imagery-Use Measures -Measures of Imagery Used in Sport Psychology -Evidence Related to the Construct Validation of Imagery Measurement -Conclusions Chapter 5. Imagery Research -Does Imagery Work? -Which Factors Influence the Effectiveness of Imagery? -How Much Imagery Is Enough? -Is Imagery Research in Its Own Little Dream World? -Conclusions Chapter 6. Imagery Perspectives -Definitions of Imagery Modality and Imagery Perspectives -Visual and Kinesthetic Imagery Research -Internal and External Imagery Research -Visual/Kinesthetic and Internal/External Imagery Research -Conclusions Chapter 7. Psychophysiological Research on Imagery -Psychophysiological Measures -Psychophysiological Research -Conclusions Part III: Applying Imagery in Sport Chapter 8. Strategies for Applying Imagery -Overview of Existing Imagery-Based Interventions -Key Components of an Imagery Training Program -Applied Example -Conclusions Chapter 9. Uses for Imagery -Uses of Imagery in the General Athletic Population -Uses of Imagery in Special Athletic Populations -Conclusions Chapter 10. Technical Aids to Imagery -Video Modeling and Imagery -Biofeedback and Imagery in Sport -Flotation and Imagery -Conclusions Chapter 11. Injury Rehabilitation and Imagery -Role of Imagery in Rehabilitation -Use of Imagery in Rehabilitation -Implications for Practice -Conclusions Part IV: Advancing Imagery in Sport Chapter 12. Exercise and Imagery -Theoretical Basis for Imagery Use in Exercise Settings -Research on Imagery and Exercise -Applications of Imagery in Exercise Settings -Conclusions Chapter 13. Future Directions in Research and Practice -Future Directions in Imagery Research -Future Directions in Imagery Practice -Conclusions References Index About the Authors Contributors

"Imagery in Sport addresses the breadth of what researchers and practitioners in sport psychology know about the topic, and treats each issue in depth, considering current theories and research on imagery and its application in sport." Cross Country Skier